A Study to Explore the Views of Students Regarding Facebook as an Instructional Tool at University Level

Oct 15, 2026

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E-learning is positioned as an accessible support for education, and this qualitative study examines students’ views of Facebook as an instructional tool at university level. Participants included 24 students from Lahore College for Women University and 17 students from University of the Punjab programs. Focus group discussions were conducted and teachers were interviewed; recordings were transcribed and analyzed in NVivo 10 to derive themes presented in graphs and tables. Results indicate Facebook is a flexible, prospective learning source for students who balance work and study.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Social Network Sites (SNSs)

Facebook as an Instructional Tool

A Study to Explore the Views of Students Regarding Facebook as an Instructional Tool at University Level Zafar Iqbal * Hafiza Ayesha Rehman** and Zubaida Khushi*** Abstract In this era of science and technology, e-learning can be helpful for masses in providing them access to education. This study involved students of 6th semester enrolled in a Bachelor of Computer Science Program and master degree programs at university level. The purpose of the study was to explore the views of students about Facebook as an instructional tool. Intact class of 24 students was selected from Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) and 17 students from 3 different programs of University of the Punjab (PU) . Qualitative research approach was used to get understanding of multiple meaning. The views of students were explored through focus group discussions and their teachers were interviewed also. These discussions and interview data were audio recorded. Data were transcribed, generated nodes and then coded in NVivo 10 software accordingly. Themes were generated and presented in graphs and tables. Findings were very interesting which provided sufficient evidence that Facebook is prospective source of learning. It is flexible in use and not time specific, therefore, feasible for students who work day time and can access to the material when they get free time. In short, Facebook is a potential learning source for every individual who have access to online sources living at any part of the globe. Keywords: Facebook, instructional tool, higher education *Assistant Professor, Department of Distance, Non-formal & Continuing Education Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. Email: [zafarar72@yahoo.com](zafarar72@yahoo.com) **IER Graduate, University of the Punjab, Lahore – Pakistan ***IER Graduate, University of the Punjab, Lahore – Pakistan Introduction The opening of internet in early 1960s shortly attracted professionals’through effective and efficient source of communication (Selwyn, 2009).This establishment introduced E-Learning as potential source in educational institutions. E-Learning may be a term means something different to almost everyone who uses it. Some assume it as web-based self-study whereas others notice that e-Learning will comprehend period learning and collaboration. Almost all agree that e-Learning is of strategic importance. It is considered as a good methodology that has to be merging into a corporation’s current learning (O’Neill, Singh &O’ Donoghue, 2004) . Social Network Sites (SNSs) Social networking sites can be defined as Web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system,(2) articulate a list of other users with whom they can share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system (Boyd & Ellison, 2008, p. 211) . Boyd defines social networking sites as “a group of websites having profile, public comments on the profile, and a crossable social network expressed by public”(2006) . There are different Social networking sites (SNSs) which are playing vital role in learning. These SNSs are often used to develop or produce new options at the demand or requirement of users. Social networking is a quick source of communication which provides users option of sharing of their feelings; express themselves apart from their physical features (Tess, 2013) . It is a large, computer connected network system that is used around the world to attach with each other and transfer information besides communication. It is conjointly used for entertainment, research, and academic purposes. Today, it can connect all the online computers so that individuals may exchange information from across the globe within seconds (Selwyn, 2009) . They use it for different purposes such as completing their academic assignments (46%), e-mail or instant messaging, (36%) and playing computer games (38%) (DeBel

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the study?

To explore students’ views about Facebook as an instructional tool at university level.

How was the qualitative data collected and analyzed?

The study used focus group discussions and teacher interviews, which were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo 10 to generate themes.

What key finding does the study report about Facebook for learning?

Facebook is identified as a flexible and prospective learning source that helps students access materials at convenient times.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fans